Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove (1934)

Introduction
"Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove" is a 1934 short film provided by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The popular 21-minute short serves as a wonderful cinematic souvenir from the Golden Era of Hollywood. The film, special for its time, delivers a distinct blend of fiction and truth, lending audiences a snapshot of Hollywood royalty partaking in a night of raucous enjoyable at the landmark Los Angeles nightspot, Cocoanut Grove.

Plot
The movie commences with an introduction of Cocoanut Grove, an extensively celebrated hangout for Old Hollywood that was part of the Ambassador Hotel. This was the place where icons like Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, and Clark Gable bantered and danced their nights away.

A fictitious sign seeker named Bill (depicted by Benny Rubin) gets coerced into accompanying a Duchess's child, whom he mistakes for a maid due to her modest clothing, to the Grove. The duo forms the main story with the central duo similarly intrigued and starstruck by the high-profile guests.

Movie Stars and Special Guests
Linked with Bill's romantic misapprehensions are the various shots of MGM's biggest stars taking pleasure in a normal night at the renowned Cocoanut Grove nightclub. Audiences get to see numerous cameos consisting of 1930s star Norma Shearer, Mickey Rooney, who was just starting his profession, and Johnny Weissmuller, the popular Tarzan star. Comedian Reginald Denny and 'Queen of MGM' Marie Dressler are likewise seen. These short lived observations add a sense of credibility and appeal to the narrative.

Dance and Music
Sprinkled between these moments are a series of lively musical and dance efficiencies, showing the energetic atmosphere of the Cocoanut Grove. The most remarkable of them consists of an unique dance set by The Albertina Rasch Ballet. The band's perky, live rendering of the popular tunes from that period includes more buoyancy to the photo.

End and Reception
The film concludes with Bill's incorrect identity shenanigans causing a minor turmoil as he tries to avert the nightspot's security after a bellboy recognizes the 'housemaid' as the Duchess's child. The ensemble of popular characters, the appealing efficiencies, the unfolding comedy, all produce a delightful watching experience, offering a preview into the glitz and glamour of yesteryear's Hollywood social life.

"Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove" was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Novelty) in 1935. Its representation of Hollywood's face and pulse, albeit curated, had actually been well-received by audiences of that time and continues to be a treasured piece for traditional Hollywood lovers.

In summary, "Star Night at the Cocoanut Grove" is a charming cinematic brief, a Hollywood time-capsule that functions as both a novelty and a historic document, catching the bygone period's stars and their play ground with a captivating blend of celebration, music and funny.

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